Coach Matt Dobson knew the importance of starting the region schedule 1-0. Friday night the team responded particularly on offense when they put up the most points they’ve scored since the Tucker state playoff game two years ago in hanging 42 on Greenbrier Friday at Womack Field in a 42-28 victory over the Wolfpack.

“We started slow but I am proud of our guys for the way they battled,” Dobson said. “We really got rolling offensively in the second quarter and I am really proud of those guys. On defense, they made stops when they needed to in order for us to come out on top.”

The Blue Devil offense answered every Greenbrier score starting from the beginning of the game. Greenbrier opened the scoring on a 47-yard touchdown run by Beau Pocho for a 7-0 lead. Statesboro got the ball inside the Wolfpack 21-yard-line on the next two drives, but were unable to come away with points.

Statesboro finally scored on a beautiful perfect 35-yard pass from quarterback Beckham Jarrard to Gage Newsome in stride in the end zone tying the game at 7-7. The Blue Devils were then able to sniff out a Greenbrier fake punt and retained possession at the Greenbrier 35-yard line. A few plays later, Rashad Childers scored from two-yards out to give Statesboro a 14-7 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Statesboro QB Jarrard scrambled for a 22-yard pickup and then Keon Childers started taking over with a 12-yard score for a 21-7 lead. Greenbrier answered with a touchdown to get it to 21-14, but again Statesboro answered on a short Childers run to make it 28-14. Greenbrier answered again with a 37-yard touchdown from Brennan Bjorkman touchdown to cut the lead to 28-21.

On the Blue Devils next play from scrimmage Jarrard and Childers fumbled their exchange and Greenbrier took over at the Statesboro 9-yard line. On fourth down from the two, Bjrokman was rocked at the goal line and coughed up the ball, which was recovered by Statesboro. The offense was unable to move the ball and working with another short field the defense held the Wolfpack once again.

 “I feel like those two defensive plays probably saved the game for us,” Dobson said.” Our defense maybe didn’t play their best game start to finish, but they stepped up when we needed them to and that is so important.”

From there, Childers and Jarrard helped put the game away. Jarrard made a couple of nice runs, including a 38-yard run to set up another short Childers touchdown to make it 35-21. With less than two minutes to play, Childers scored his fourth touchdown on his most impressive play. Childers took off toward the sidelines and then cut back across field for a 43-yard touchdown to put things out of reach at 42-28.

“Our offense picked up our defense when they had to and our defense picked up our offense and that’s a great way to win,” Dobson said. “We are 1-0 in region play and that’s the best we can be at this point. I really can’t say enough about the play of Keon Childers with four touchdowns. I think you can say he successfully has made the transition from Receive to running back.”

Statesboro improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in region play. Up next, they hit the road for Glynn Academy next Friday at 7:30.